Hydraulic loader and stacker



June 3, 1947.

s. w. KOBER 2,421,566

HYDRAULIC LOADER AND STACKER Filed March 20, 1945 2 SheetsSheet l v50/0/7700 jib 56f June 3, 1947. w, KOBER HYDRAULIC LOADER AND STACKERFiled March 20, 1945 2 Sheets-Shaka: 2-

Patented June 3, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HYDRAULIC LOADER ANDSTACKER Solomon W. Kober, Billings, Mont.

Application March 20, 1945, Serial No. 583,735 6 Claims. (01. 214-141)This invention relates to loading devices, and more particularly to animproved device for picking up and stacking hay and similar materials.

A main object of this invention is to provide a portable loading machineor loading device adapted to pick up hay or other materials from theground and elevate the load for deposition at a desired location.

A further object of this invention is to provide a loader adapted to bemounted on a conventional tractor wherein tractor powered hydrauliclifting means is provided and wherein the lifting means may be readilycontrolled by the operator in the tractor.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view with parts broken away of a tractorequipped with a loader according to this invention.

Figur 2 is a rear elevational view of the structure of Figure 1 with theloader shown in elevated position.

Figure 3 is a detail view in side elevation of the top portion of theloader of Figure 1 in elevated position.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the hydraulic supply system employed in theloader of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the structure of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a form of bucket member adaptedto be employed on the loader of Figure 1 for use in loading manure.

Figure '7 is a top view of the bucket member of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side elevational View of another form of bucket memberadapted to be employed on the loader of Figure 1 for use in loadingbeets.

Figure 9 is a top view of the bucket member of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sheet metal lining adapted to besecured inside the bucket member of Figure 8 for use in loading gravelor sand.

The loading device according to this invention is supported upon aconventional tractor, designated by l in the drawings, comprising a body2 supported on large rear traction wheels 3 which ar mounted at the endsof rear axle housings 4 and which'are driven by the tractor power unitin the usual manner, and. front dirigible wheels 5 which are controlledfor steering purposes by the steering wheel 6. The tractor is providedwith a conventional rearwardly extending power take-ofi shaft 1.

Secured to the under side of the tractor frame are a pair oflongitudinally extending base members 8 projecting rearwardly of rearWheels 3. Rigidly secured to the ends of the rearwardly projectingportions of base members 8 is a transverse member 9. Rigidly secured tothe junctions of member 9 and members 8 are vertical upright postmembers 10 rigidly held together at their top ends by a transvers memberI I. Diagonal brace members l2 connect the opposite corners of thebox-shaped structure formed by vertical posts l0 and transverse members9 and II to stiffen and strengthen the structure in a transversevertical plane. Rigidity in a longitudinal vertical plane is provided bya brace structure for each vertical post Hi comprising a gusset plate l3secured adjacent the top of the post, a diagonal brace member I4 securedat its top end togusset plate l3 and a longitudinal member l5 secured atone end to vertical post H1, at the oth'er end to diagonal brace 14 andat an intermediate portion to the top of rear axle housing 4.

Mounted on the inwardly facing surfaces of vertical posts II] at aposition substantially above the level of rear axle housing 4 arebearing seats "5 which rotatably support a transverse tubular member I!which projects laterally on each side of tractor l. Connected by elbowsI8 to each end of tubular member I! are longitudinal tubular boommembers l9 extending, in their normal horizontal positions, tosubstantially the front end of tractor body '2.

Telescopically mounted in each tubular boom I9 is an elongated pistonmember 20 rigidly secured at its outer end to an arm 2|. The rearwardend of arm 2| is pivotally connected to one end of an adjustable cable22, the adjustment being achieved by a turnbuckle member 23 secured tothe other end of said cable 22 and connecting said cable to an eye lug24 formed on gusset plate [3. Extension of piston member 20 causes arm2| to swing upwardly in an arc whos radius is cable 22.

Pivotally connected to the forward end of each arm 2| is a link member25 which forms a part of the framework of a bucket member generallyindicated as 26. The top end of link member 25 is pivotally connected toan adjustable link 21 which in turn is connected pivotally by an adcentto its junction with link 28 is a control cable 29 which extends over apulley 30, rotatably supported adjacent the top end of post I0, andaround a pulley 3| mounted on the longitudinal member 8 at the oppositeside of the tractor to a lever 32 operated by tractor power and providedwith appropriate releasable locking means for holding it in desiredadjusted positions. If desired, cable 29 may be connected to link 28instead of link 21. 'By virtue of its cable connections to the bucketcontrol linkages, lever 32 may be employed by the operator to vary theangle of inclination of bucket member 26 with respect to arm 2| over aconsiderable angular range, as indicated in Figure 3 where piston member20 is shown in extended position with bucket member 26 raised. Byreleasing lever 32 the bucket member 26 may be allowed to rotate fromthe full line position to the dotted position shown in Figure 3.

The control linkages for bucket member 26-are he'l'din their respectivelongitudinal planes by a appropriately shouldered tie rod. 33. whichforms the pivotal connection between links :27 :and 28 and which isupset or otherwise provided with. securing means at'its ends to maintainit in securing'position.

Piston members 2i} are extended to raisezbuoket member .26 by hydraulicpressure acting intubular sboom t9 behind piston members 20. EH16pressure is furnished by oil forced into transverse tubular member I]through a plurality"of circumferentially spaced openings 34 tor-med :atan intermediate location in member 11', Encircling the openings 34 androtatabl mounted on member I l is a housing member 35 provided'w'ithappropriate packing gland members .36 at each side thereof forming :a.substantially tight oilse'al between housing member 3'5 and tubularmember I! jyet permitting relative rotation betweenxthe housing and thetubular member. An oil inlet pipe 31 admits oil into housing member 3:5.The oil is supplied from an oil reservoir mounted on the tractor througha pipe 38 :to a, pressure pump 3'9 actuated by power take-off shaft 1,and thence through an adjustable pressure overload relief valve 40through -a three-way manually controlled valve 4 toinlet pipe 31.

In Figure *4 manually actuated valve d l is shown in open positionwherein oil under pressure is forced by pump 39 .past overload reliefvalve W through valve 41 into inlet pipe :31. By rotating the handle ofvalve 41 ninety degrees counterclockwise from the -.position-shown in'CFigure 4, the oil under pressuremay be diverted into a by-pass pipe 42leading back to the oil reservoir, and the pistons Zil-may be thusloc'ked'inextended position. By rotating the valve handle ninety degrees'clockw isefrom the position shown in Figure '4, the oil in booms I 9will be released and flow back'to'the oil reservoir through by-pass pipe42, the oil under pressure "from *pump 39 .being diverted through asecond by-pass branch pipe '43 back to main by-passpipe 42.

Ihe "oil tank is a high pressure tank provided with an overflow pipehaving a is a'irhdle-in its end plug. It contains only justenougho'il-to extend the booms for raising the loader to its full safeheight. When valve-4! is turned to release a the oil in the'boomathe oilreturnsto the tank at an intially rapid rate but, due -to the small airexhaust hole in the tank the release of-the' booms is subsequentlyslowed down as thereturn'ing oil builds up air pressure in the tank.This feature cushions the last portion of the descent of *the 4 bucketmember and reduces the risk of damage to said bucket member if it shouldstrike the ground. It is thus seen that manual valve 4| affords anefficient degree of control over the application of hydraulic pressureto pistons 20 for all requirements of the loader. Said valve is locatedwithin convenient reach of the operator of the tractor.

The bucket member 26 may comprise an appropriate framework formedwithlongitudinally projecting widely spaced bottom cleats or teethmembers 4 for stacking hay. For stacking manure or similar material thebucket member shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be substituted, said bucketmember comprising more closely spaced curved steel members 45 formingprongs, said curved members being secured together by upper and lowertransverse tie bars 46, 41 welded to the members 45 and made rigid byside posts 48 welded'to the ends of the transverse tie bars.

For stacking beets, or similar material, the bucketmember showninEigures B and 9 may be substituted for bucket member 2'6. In Figures 8and 9 the bucket member comprises closely spaced curved steel bars 49rigidly secured by welding or :other appropriate securing means totransverse tie members to form a rigid bucket structure, guard plates 50being provided at the sides of the bucket to prevent material fromflowins out of the sides of the bucket. This structure may be furtheradapted for use in loading sand and" gravel by securing to the innersurfaces of the bucket. member a curved sheet metal member Bil saidmember :51 being formed with vertical flanges. '52 adapted to be secured.to guard plates 50. Using this form of bucket, the loader maybeemployed as .a. :bull-dozer with the booms l9 maintained insubstantially horizontal position or .as shown in Figure 1.

In ordinary loading operation the bucket member is held in loweredposition and the tractor is movedforwardlytoward the material to 'beloaded whereby said material is forced into engagement with the bucketmember. The operator then -ac- 'tuates valve '4! to the position shownin Figure 4 to admit oil under pressure behind pistons 20 to therebyraise the bucket member to the elevated position such asshown in Figures2 and 3. Valve 4| is then actuated by rotating its handle ninety degreesacounter clockwise .to lock pistons in extended "position and the loadis then carried by the tractor to the desired location. The load isdeposited by releasing lever 32, and the valve handle may :then be.rotated one-hundred eighty degrees clockwise to lower the booms, lever32 being returned. to its normalposition to set the bucket for arepeated loading operation.

By positioning the thrust bearing imernbers -l=.6':for booms i9substantially .above the level of rear axle housings 4 positivetraction. for the :rear wheels during the forward thrust of the bucketinto the pile of material is assured, since there-- active moment isclockwise with. respect to the front wheels of the tractor. This feature"is of importance when qperating'on slippery ormuddy '-surfaces. Ifthe;positionof therear thrust hear- :ing members for the booms were:below the devel of the axles a moment would be developed'cdun. ing:torwardthrust of the bucket which would reduce traction :and whichwould 'tend. to .liftv the :rear wheels.

While certain specific eembodiments of loading devices :have beendisclosed in the foregoing 'description, itwill be understood-thatvarious modiiications within the spirit of the inventionmay occur tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, it

supported rearwardly of the rear Wheels of the tractor, telescopingbooms positioned at opposite sides of the tractor, said booms beingpivotally connected at their rear ends to the frame at a level above thelevel of and spaced to the rear of the rear wheel axles of the tractorfor up and down movements at their forward ends, load carrying means onsaid forward ends, means for extending the booms lengthwise in a forwarddirection, radius means embodying an arm rigidly carried by each of theforward ends of the booms and a flexible member connecting the rearwardend of each of said arms pivotally to the upper end of an upstandingpost of said frame complemental thereto, said radius means being mountedfor up and down swinging movements and being operative to guide thebooms upwardly responsive to extension of the booms.

2. A tractor mounted loading device comprising a frame includingupstanding posts rigidly supported rearwardly of the rear wheels of thetractor, telescoping booms positioned at opposite sides of the tractor,said booms being pivotally connected at their rear ends to the frame ata level above the level of and spaced to the rear of the rear wheelaxles of the tractor for up and down movements at their forward ends,load carrying means on said forward ends, a fluid pump connected to thetractor and operated thereby, a fluid supply means, means for conductingfluid under pressure to the booms for projecting the forward endsthereof in a forward direction, and radius members embodying an armrigidly carried by each of the forward ends of the booms and a flexiblemember connecting the rearward end of each of said arms to the upperportion of an upstanding post of said frame complemental theretooperative to guide the booms upwardly as they are projected forwardly.

3. A tractor mounted loading device comprising a frame includingupstanding posts rigidly supported rearwardly of the rear wheels of thetractor, telescoping booms positioned at opposite sides of the tractor,said booms being pivotally connected at their rear ends to the frame ata level above the level of and spaced to the rear of the rear wheelaxles of the tractor for up and down movements at their forward ends,means for extending the booms lengthwise, radius members embodying anarm rigidly carried by each of the forward ends of the booms and a cableadjustably connecting the rearward end of each of said arms to the upperportion of an upstanding post of said frame complemental thereto forguiding the forward ends of the booms upwardly in response to extensionof the booms, a bucket member pivotally carried by said arms andtiltable forwardly and rearwardly thereon, and cable means connectedbetween the frame and the bucket member for tilting the bucket member.

4. The structure of claim 1, and wherein the load carrying meanscomprises a bucket member pivotally secured to said forward ends andtiltable forwardly and rearwardly thereon, and control means foradjusting the tilt of said bucket, said control means comprising alinkage connected to said bucket and cable means for operating saidlinkage.

5. The structure of claim 2, and wherein the booms are pivotallyconnected to the frame by a transverse tubular member connected to andcommunicating with the interior of the booms at their rear ends, saidtransverse tubular member being rotatably supported in bearing meansprovided on the frameand wherein said means for conducting fluid underpressure to the booms comprises openings formed peripherally at anintermediate point on said transverse tubular member said openings beinghoused in a housing member rotatively mounted with respect to saidtransverse tubular member and provided with means for sealing saidhousing member with respect to said transverse tubular member, saidfluid pump being connected to said housing member.

6. A tractor mounted loading device comprising a frame rigidly supportedrearwardly of the rear wheels of the tractor, telescoping boomspositioned at opposite sides of the tractor, said booms being pivotallyconnected at their rear ends to the frame at a level above the level ofthe rear wheel axles of the tractor for up and down movements at theirforward ends, means for extending the booms lengthwise, radius membersconnected between the frame and the booms for guiding the forward endsof the booms upwardly in response to, extension of the booms, a bucketmember pivotally mounted on the forward ends of the booms and tiltableforwardly and rearwardly thereon, and cable means connected between theframe and the bucket member for tilting the bucket member, said bucketmember comprises a plurality of aligned curved rigid members providedwith transverse bar members secured to the curved members to make rigidsaid curved members to form a scoop-shaped body, and wherein sheetmembers are secured at the sides of the scoop-shaped body to form sideguards.

SOLOMON W. KOBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 890,061 Jarboe June 9, 1908947,964 Collins Feb. 1, 1910 1,784,558 Underland Dec. 9, 1930 1,913,472Blumberg et a1 June 13, 1933 2,220,267 Nelson Nov. 5, 1940 2,287,375Ford June 23, 1942 2,295,917 Schwan Sept. 15, 1942 2,319,921 Dooley eta1 May 25, 1943 2,348,899 Guignard et al. May 16, 1944 2,351,926 CoatesJune 20, 1944

